I should not have played that stroke in Antigua: Pujara

Pujara
Cheteswar Pujara after the training session in Sabina Park on Thursday. Image Source: Xtra Time

Debasis Sen, Kingston(Jamaica): The rash pull shot which led to his downfall in the first test against West Indies at Antigua is still haunting Cheteswar Pujara. He decided to pull a shot ball from Bishoo which did not turn and took a top edge that went straight to Brathwaite. Pujara was looking good for a big score before he brought about his own downfall for 16 runs after stayin g at the crease for almost 90 minutes and facing 67 balls. He did admit of making a mistake in choosing the wrong ball to play the pull shot. “It wasn’t the right ball to pull,” said Pujara on the sidelines of the Sabina Park.

Pujara is very focused to get runs under his belt as a string of failures can leave a question mark on his batting spot as India already have Rohit Sharma sitting out and KL Rahul also an option for batting at No 3.India have adopted a unique way for preparing themselves for the test matches under Anil Kumble. Like in Antigua, here also they kept an optional practice only to sweat it out on the eve of the test match. Pujara had other ideas as he do not want to lose any practice session, as he wants to stay focused to make amends in Sabina Park . “I just wanted to practice a little more since I didn’t score runs in the first Test. I am the kind of player who likes to work hard; whenever there is an option to practice I prefer to practice,” said Pujara after his practice session.

Along with Pujara ,Rahane and KL Rahul were also seen spending considerable time taking slip catches. If this pitch is going to be anywhere near what the curator has promised, the slips could once again be called to duty like in Antigua, where they hardly dropped anything in the cordon. Out of 20 West Indies wickets in Antigua, 10 were effected behind the stumps. And it seems Pujara has figured out what can make them a solid fielding side in that area.

“When you are fielding in slips it is important to take as many catches as possible. When you are practicing at the same time you need to know your partners well because when you are fielding at first or second slip you need to have the right distance in between. It is always about communicating, and once you have the right judgement and you have taken the right number of catches, you learn many things,” said Pujara.

There has been a considerable amount of grass left at the Sabina Park wicket and if the words of the curator are to be believed Indian batsmen will be up for some stiff challenges from Shanon Gabriel and co. According to the curator Michael Hylton, “‘It’s going to be a lively pitch. “Grass is important. I will leave a lot of grass on the pitch. And there is hard concrete underneath it. So expect bounce and pace,” ringing warning bells for India.

With two ends named after Michael Holding and Courtney Walsh, Sabina Park is testimony to the fast and furious bowling attacks West Indies once enjoyed. Over time though the pitch has slowed down to such an extent that visiting teams have had no problems winning here.

Between 2005 and now, West Indies have won two and lost six of the eight Tests played here.

But Indian batsmen are up for the challenge as Pujara rightly puts it, “If we see the first Test, there was good pace and bounce. And we did well. We just need to continue doing what we have been doing well, and there have been many partnerships from the last game. That’s a positive sign,” said Cheteshwar Pujara on Thursday.